{"id":532917,"date":"2025-06-30T17:20:02","date_gmt":"2025-06-30T07:20:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/?p=532917"},"modified":"2025-06-30T18:58:28","modified_gmt":"2025-06-30T08:58:28","slug":"another-middle-east-airline-joins-oneworld-but-their-loyalty-program-name-is-hilarious","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/travel\/another-middle-east-airline-joins-oneworld-but-their-loyalty-program-name-is-hilarious","title":{"rendered":"Another Middle East Airline Joins Oneworld\u2026 But Their Loyalty Program Name Is Hilarious"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>There\u2019s something delightfully ironic about luxury travel. The older and more established the alliance, the more absurdly named the loyalty program. Enter <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.omanair.com\/en\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Oman Air<\/a>, the newest member of the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.oneworld.com\/members\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Oneworld alliance<\/a> and proud operator of what may be the most unintentionally funny frequent flyer program on Earth: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/sindbad.omanair.com\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sindbad<\/a>.<\/p><p>Yes, Sindbad. As in <em><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sinbad_the_Sailor\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sindbad the Sailor<\/a><\/em>. As in Arabian Nights, flying carpets, and maybe the odd questionable cartoon memory from the early 2000s. It\u2019s almost too poetic. A mythical seafarer lending his name to a loyalty program that\u2019s just landed in one of the world\u2019s most corporate, spreadsheet-driven aviation alliances.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1269\" height=\"1400\" src=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/91O6GgzCMAL-1269x1400.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-532918\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/91O6GgzCMAL-1269x1400.jpg 1269w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/91O6GgzCMAL-870x960.jpg 870w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/91O6GgzCMAL-580x640.jpg 580w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/91O6GgzCMAL-768x847.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/91O6GgzCMAL-1393x1536.jpg 1393w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/91O6GgzCMAL-480x529.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 400px, (max-width: 640px) 600px, (max-width: 768px) 700px, (max-width: 1024px) 800px, (min-width: 1025px) 1000px, 2048px\" \/><\/figure><p>But here we are. <\/p>                <div class=\"row row-center collapse\">\n                    <div class=\"column\">\n                        <div class=\"dmg-ad\"><div id=\"incontent-1626610353\" class=\"ad-container\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var load_289579764 = function () {googletag.cmd.push(function () {var slot_289579764 = googletag.defineSlot(\"\/1017963\/DMarge\/incontent\",[[300,250],[320,100],[320,180],[336,280],[640,360]],\"incontent-1626610353\").addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting('refresh', 'true');if (gamData && gamData.sizeMap && gamData.sizeMap.hasOwnProperty('incontent')) {slot_289579764.defineSizeMapping(gamData.sizeMap['incontent']);}googletag.display(\"incontent-1626610353\");});};adsQueue.push(load_289579764);<\/script><\/div><\/div>                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <p>As of this week, Oman Air is officially the 15th member of Oneworld, joining the likes of Qantas, Qatar, and British Airways. While the partnership unlocks valuable network connections across the Middle East, Europe, and South Asia, the real highlight for most of us is the ability to now earn points and enjoy status perks while being part of something that sounds like a bedtime story.<\/p><p>Let\u2019s not kid ourselves. Oman Air isn\u2019t just some token addition to fill out a quota. The Muscat-based carrier punches well above its weight. <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.omanair.com\/en_au\/business-class\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Its Business Class \u201cStudios\u201d<\/a> on the Boeing 787 are definitely one of the more creative cabin layouts in the sky.<\/p>    <div class=\"content-subscribe\">\n        <div class=\"subscribe-box\">\n            <p class=\"subscribe-title\">Curated news for men, <br\/>delivered to your inbox.<\/p>\n            <form class=\"subscribe-form\" method=\"POST\">\n                <div class=\"subscribe-input\">\n                    <label class=\"screen-reader-text\" for=\"subscribe-email\">Email:<\/label>\n                    <input type=\"email\" name=\"email\" id=\"subscribe-email\" placeholder=\"Enter your email\" required class=\"form-control\" autocomplete=\"on\" \/>\n                    <button type=\"submit\" class=\"button button-primary subscribe-button\">Sign Up<\/button>\n                    <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"source\" value=\"article\" \/>\n                    <input type=\"hidden\" id=\"_wpnonce\" name=\"_wpnonce\" value=\"e2df992756\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wp_http_referer\" value=\"\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/532917\" \/>                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"form-result\"><\/div>\n            <\/form>\n            <p class=\"subscribe-copy\">Join the DMARGE newsletter \u2014 Be the first to receive the latest news and exclusive stories on style, travel, luxury, cars, and watches. Straight to your inbox.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <p>Still, the real comedy lies in the tiers. Sindbad Silver, Gold, and soon, maybe Platinum or whatever he would find on his travels. It sounds like a genie\u2019s retirement plan. <\/p>                <div class=\"row row-center collapse\">\n                    <div class=\"column\">\n                        <div class=\"dmg-ad\"><div id=\"incontent-1393230036\" class=\"ad-container\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var load_1925209251 = function () {googletag.cmd.push(function () {var slot_1925209251 = googletag.defineSlot(\"\/1017963\/DMarge\/incontent\",[[250,250],[300,100],[300,250],[320,100],[336,280]],\"incontent-1393230036\").addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting('refresh', 'true');if (gamData && gamData.sizeMap && gamData.sizeMap.hasOwnProperty('incontent')) {slot_1925209251.defineSizeMapping(gamData.sizeMap['incontent']);}googletag.display(\"incontent-1393230036\");});};adsQueue.push(load_1925209251);<\/script><\/div><\/div>                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <p>For now, Gold maps to Oneworld Sapphire, which gets you into lounges and fast tracks, while Silver gives you priority check-in and the privilege of telling your mates you\u2019re in Sindbad\u2019s elite crew.<\/p><p>There\u2019s also a bit of drama behind the scenes. <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.executivetraveller.com\/news\/oman-air-joins-oneworld-alliance-member\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">According to Oman Air<\/a>, they\u2019re considering mapping Gold to Emerald (the holy grail of status: First Class lounges, extra baggage, the full VIP treatment), but doing so might lead to what the airline calls a \u201cdowngrade\u201d for some existing members. Oneworld politics are real. And petty.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1035\" src=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Oman_Air_B787-9_Business_Class_Cherag_Dubash.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-532919\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Oman_Air_B787-9_Business_Class_Cherag_Dubash.webp 1200w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Oman_Air_B787-9_Business_Class_Cherag_Dubash-960x828.webp 960w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Oman_Air_B787-9_Business_Class_Cherag_Dubash-640x552.webp 640w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Oman_Air_B787-9_Business_Class_Cherag_Dubash-768x662.webp 768w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Oman_Air_B787-9_Business_Class_Cherag_Dubash-480x414.webp 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 400px, (max-width: 640px) 600px, (max-width: 768px) 700px, (max-width: 1024px) 800px, (min-width: 1025px) 1000px, 2048px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A very unique approach to business class.<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>So, in typical pragmatic style, Oman Air might wait until next year to introduce a third tier, likely Platinum, which will officially unlock Emerald. That means a bunch of high-flying Sindbadians (is that the term?) will be bumped up if they meet the criteria. What those criteria are remains vague, but expect the usual: miles flown, dollars spent, and your willingness to pronounce \u201cSindbad\u201d with a straight face at a check-in desk.<\/p><p>Beyond the loyalty program laugh track, this is a smart move for Oneworld. Oman is geographically ideal for long-haul links, and the airline already flies to key business and leisure hubs across Asia and Europe. New destinations like Amsterdam and hopefully Singapore make it even more appealing to the alliance\u2019s global network.<\/p><p>It\u2019s also a win for those of us in Australia. <\/p>                <div class=\"row row-center collapse\">\n                    <div class=\"column\">\n                        <div class=\"dmg-ad\"><div id=\"incontent-2120630777\" class=\"ad-container\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var load_1488889040 = function () {googletag.cmd.push(function () {var slot_1488889040 = googletag.defineSlot(\"\/1017963\/DMarge\/incontent\",[[250,250],[300,100],[300,250],[320,100],[336,280]],\"incontent-2120630777\").addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting('refresh', 'true');if (gamData && gamData.sizeMap && gamData.sizeMap.hasOwnProperty('incontent')) {slot_1488889040.defineSizeMapping(gamData.sizeMap['incontent']);}googletag.display(\"incontent-2120630777\");});};adsQueue.push(load_1488889040);<\/script><\/div><\/div>                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <p>Qantas frequent flyers now have another solid option when venturing beyond Dubai or Doha. If you\u2019re flying to India, Sri Lanka or into Eastern Europe, Oman Air now presents a low-key, high-comfort route worth exploring. <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Muscat\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Muscat<\/a> might not have the skyscraper-studded wow factor of Doha, but the first class lounge is elite, the aircraft are modern, and you won\u2019t be fighting influencers for the bathroom mirror.<\/p><p>In a world where airline alliances are trying to sound increasingly futuristic or sterile (looking at you, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skyteam.com\/en\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SkyTeam<\/a>), it\u2019s refreshing to see something so earnestly bizarre find its way onto our boarding passes.<\/p><p>Sindbad might be an ancient sailor, but this move shows Oman Air is sailing straight into the future. And with a name like that, it\u2019s impossible not to love them. <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There\u2019s something delightfully ironic about luxury travel. The older and more established the alliance, the more absurdly named the loyalty program. Enter Oman Air, the newest member of the Oneworld alliance and proud operator of what may be the most unintentionally funny frequent flyer program on Earth: Sindbad. Yes, Sindbad. As in Sindbad the Sailor. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":532920,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":false,"_modified_date":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[237],"tags":[],"coauthors":[146525],"class_list":{"0":"post-532917","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-travel"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/532917","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=532917"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/532917\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":532924,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/532917\/revisions\/532924"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/532920"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=532917"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=532917"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=532917"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=532917"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}